Duplicating machine



April 2, 1935. w. RITZERFELD DUPLICATING MACHINE Original Filed March 16 1932 B MN Mm N t 7 Z, *3 -:T I a ll MN MN 0 j m 1. 5 o v t latented Apr. 2, 1935 UNITED STATES nurucs'rmo. moms Wilhelm Ritzerfeld, Berlin, Germany Application March 16, 1932, Serial No. 599,279. Renewed September '1, 1934. In Germany Mai-ch17, 1931 19 Claims. (oi. 101-132) our side towards the top behind a sheet of paper,

so that whenwritten, printed or other characters, designs or the like are applied to the top face of the sheet of paper either by hand or mechanically (for instance by means of a typewriter) an exact 'replica thereof is formed on the back of the sheet in reverse form. For the purpose of description cerned, and that these are produced by means of a typewriter, although it will be perfectly obvious that, as stated above, the invention covers also drawings, designs and other matter, whether pro- 25 duced by a manual, mechanical or part-mechanical process.

The original sheet bearing the reverse script is placed with the script surface towards the top about the drum or roller of the duplicating ap a paratus, and prior to the transfer of the script to the sheet, cardor other surface employed the latter is moistened with the assistance of a moistening device arranged in front of the printing rollers with a volatile liquid which readily and evenly dissolves the ink or colour on the original, whereupon the sheet, card,etc., to which the transfer is to be made is passed between the drum bearing the original and a counter-roller pressing against the same, and in this manner there is produced on the sheet, card, etc., a re-print in normal legibile form.-

The sheets, cards, etc., which will be referred to in the following as copy sheets", are positioned against the drum and the counter-roller at the point where these touch, and in all apparatus'of this character hitherto known this positioning operation has been performed by hand.' In consequence of this the duplicating process is very considerably delayed.

It is the primary object of the invention to overcome the drawback in question, and this is accomplished by the provision of an automatic positioning or feeding device, by means of which the copy sheets arefed automatically.

Other objects and advantages of the invention III it will be assumed that typed characters are con-' will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Now automatic positioning or feeding means have already been proposed in connection with duplicating apparatus of the stencil type. The device according to the invention, however, differs from these in very essential points.

In the known apparatus the printing rollers do not touch at the moment when the copy sheet is introduced. In the invention, however, the copy 1 sheet is passed by the positioning or feeding means between the contacting rollers, so that the point where the rollers meet represents the point of application of the sheet. As regards steady and unobstructed operation on the part of the apparatus, it is naturally of great advantage if the rollers do not require to be lifted apart on each occasion when a copy sheet is applied, but remain continuously in contact, whereby the lifetime of the apparatus will also be prolonged. Beyond this, the mounting of the counter-roller may also be simplified, which will assist in considerably reducing the cost of manufacture;

Owing to the fact that the point where the rollers touch is also the point of application of the copy sheet, the top portion of the sheet which is not moistened, and which, therefore, cannot be employed for printing purposes, is coni siderably smaller than would be the case if the, copy sheet were fed by the positioning device between the lifted rollers up to a stop or the like.

In the knownautomatic positioning or feeding means the drums or rollers carrying the chase (matrix or the like) exceed considerably in their circumference the length of the chase, so that an idle movement results, during which the positioning or feeding device enters into action, j as in these apparatus the printing roller revolves continuously. This drawback associated with excessive size of the printing roller, which is also of some importance as regards the cost of manufacture, is overcome according to the invention by the special nature of the drum operating means, as in accordance with the invention the printing roller or drum, which in turn operates the counter-roller, remains stationary for a brief interval after each revolution until the automatic feeding device has positioned a new sheet.

a The operation of the machine is such that the. main drive takes place continuously by means of a motor or also a handle, while the single functions of the machine, such as the lifting and lowering of the moistening device, the positioning of the copy sheets, and the rotation of the printins roller, occur synchronously with respect to each other. Or the apparatus itself may also be stopped, whilst the actual drive will continue to run.

The copy sheets are stacked on the positioning table, which presses them under the action of a U operation and again lifted after the transfer has been made, it has been found that the usual oscillatory movement of the moistening container may not be wholly of advantage in connection with an automatic positioning or feeding device according to the invention. Generally speaking, the moistening device is situated in an inclined position towards the front, and swings down out of this position on to the paper. If the copy sheets are positioned by hand, this oscillatory movement will not be disturbing, as the sheet of paper is retained in the hand until the same has been engaged by the printing rollers. In connection, however, with automatic feeding means this movement of the moistening container has proved to be of disadvantage insofar as the downward movement of the container, occurring inclinedly downwards, tends to push back slightly the positioned copy sheet, so that the same will not be engaged by the printing rollers. For this reason it is. desirable to arrange-the moistening container in such fashion that the same, in addition to the downward movement, also performs even somewhat advanced, thus ensuring proper engagement of the sheet by the rollers.

The invention'will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is an elevational view, and

Fig. 2 a plan, partly broken away, of the ap-' paratus according tothe invention.

The original sheet bearing the reverse script is placed about the printing roller or drum in the known manner. The counter-roller 2 prwses the copy sheet against the'roller I, this sheet having previously been passed below the moistening container 8 and furnished'on its surface with a thin film of moisture.

Mounted on the shaft I' together with the roller I there is a freely rotating gear wheel I3, which is detachably connected by means of a pin 28, and which possesses on a part of its periphery, in place of the teeth, a curved portion I3, which thrusts against a corresponding portion I2 of the gear wheel I2 rotating freely on the driving shaft 29', so that the wheel I3, and accordingly the roller I, remains stationary until the curved portion I2 has moved along the corresponding portion I3 and the teeth of the wheels I2 and I3 have again moved into engagement. Firmly connected with the drive 29 and revolving continuously through the medium of a belt or chain connection with the motor there is an operating wheel I1 engaged by a pawl I6, which is connected with the gear wheel I6 also rotating freely on the shaft 28 and thrusts with the pin I8 against the cam lever I9, which after each revolution on the part of the printing roller is furmanner the lever I9 drops down and the pawl I8 moves into engagement with the operating wheel I1. Upon additional movement of the gear wheel IS the cam lever I9 will be moved by the pawl I8 for such length of time until after completed operation thesame again moves against the lever 20 when again pushed forward by hand, and the pawl I8 thus lifted from the wheel H.

In front of the moistening container 3 there are provided on a shaft I5 one or more positioning rolls I5, which in the known manner are capable of rotation in the one direction but are locked in the other- Firmly connected with the shaft I5 there is a gear wheel I4, which possesses on its periphery two similar, oppositely disposed cams I4, and between the same teeth, which communicate with the gear wheel I6 and the counter-cam I6 mounted thereon, whereby, also emanating from the continuously rotating drive, there is obtained alternate rotation and stationary condition on the part of the gear wheel I, and accordingly of the positioning rolls I5. The copy sheets are, stacked on the table 25, which is oscillatory about a shaft 26. The pressure of the paper against the positioning rolls I5 is regulated by a movable weight 21, a spring or the like.

The positioning or feeding device is stopped automatically immediately the supply of paper on the table is exhausted. On the paper there rests the feeler lever 22 with the wheel 23, which at the moment when the final sheet is moved into position falls into a recess 25' in the table, and by reason of this oscillatory movement advances the lever 20. The connection between the apparatus and the drive is accordingly interrupted, so that it is impossible for transfer print to be made on to the counter-roller 2. For the purpose of readily positioning a new stack of paper the lever 22. may be lifted by pushing down the locking lever 24, and held in this position.

In front of the counter-roller 2 there is an angle bar 4 carrying the moistening container 3, which is pivotally connected at the point 8 by the double-armed lever B 6'. The moistening container rests on a supporting rod 5, and is moved forward by the double lever 6 6 and pressed against the paper by the spring 3'. To the side of the roller or drum I there is a cam II, against which, after each revolution on the part of the roller I, or in other words after each printing operation, there moves the roll I 0 of the double lever 6 6', causing the moistening container to be lifted. Immediately after the rotation of the printing roller I has commenced the roll I0 of the double lever B 6 falls away from the projection II, so that'by reason of the spring 9 the lever 6 moves the container 3 towards the front,

' It will be understood that no restriction is made to the specific form of embodiment shown in the drawing, which has been selected merely by way of example, and that various modifications are quite possible within the meaning of the above description and the annexed claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for transferring printing from an original sheet furnished with reverse script to copy sheets previously moistened with a readily volatile liquid, including a rotatably mount ed printing roller for carrying the original sheet, a rotatably mounted counter roller cooperating with said printing roller, moistening means arranged closely in front of the point of contact of said rollers, and an automatic paper positioningdevice which conveys the copy sheets singly from a stack below the moistening means to the point of contact of the printing rollers.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein main driving means is provided, means coacting with the driving means for stopping the roller bearing the original.sheet automatically for a predetermined and regular brief space of time after each revolution for the purpose of positioning the paper, during which interval the main driving means continues to operate and in the meantime actuate the automatic paper po-' sitioning device.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein main drive means is provided and includes a gear wheel having ona part of its periphery a curved portion, a gear wheel associated with the printing roller having ,a counter curved portion cooperating with the first gear wheel, so that the printing roller remains stationary during the additional rotation of the said gear wheel, owing to the contact between the two curved portions.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a continuously operating main drive is provided and wherein the positioning, device includes positioning rolls, and means cooperating with the continuously operating main drive for actuating said rolls only periodically.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a continuously operating main drive is provided and wherein the positioning device includes 130-.

sitioning rolls, means cooperating with the continuously operating main drive for actuating said rolls only periodically, said means including a gear wheel connecting with the main drive and having on a part of its periphery a cam contacting with a counter-cam of a gear wheel mounted on the positioning roll shaft, so that owing to the} contact of the two cams the positioning rolls remain stationary during the additional movement of the gear wheel.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a main drive is provided, an oscillatory table for sheets of paper, a connection between the table and the main drive, and means for automatically interrupting the connection immediately copy sheet has been consumed, and a second lever advanced by the feeler lever and cooperating with I table for sheets of paper, a connection between the table and the main drive, means for interrupting the connection automatically immediately the copy paper is exhausted, said connection and interrupting means including a feeler lever having a wheel resting on the paper, and falling into the recess in the table immediately the final copy sheet has beenconsumed, a second lever advanced by the feeler lever and cooperating with a lever on the driving shaft, and a looking lever for holding the feeler lever in lifted position, the one arm of the said locking lever elevating the said feeler lever, whilst the second arm of the said locking lever thrusts against the positioning table.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a main drive is provided for the printing roller, and a releasable connection between the printing roller and the printing roller drive, including a gear wheel fixed to the shaft of the drive, a resilient pin mounted on the gear wheel, and engaging in a recess in the said drum, said pin being adapted for withdrawal by hand.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moistening means includes a moistening container, and means for movably mounting the container when the copy paper has been advanced into contact with the rollers so that an oscillatory movement is imparted thereto downwards and, at the same time, towards the printing rollers.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moistening means includes a moisteningcontainer, and means for movably mounting the container when the copy paper has been ad vanced into contact with the rollers so'that an oscillatory movement is imparted thereto down wards and, at the same time, towards the printin'g roller, said latter means including a supporting rod for the container, a double lever, and a spring associated with the lever for drawing the container down over the supporting rod.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein atable is provided for the stack of copy paper,

means for oscillating this table, a permanent stop above the positioning table, and means for pressing the positioning table with the stack of paper located thereon against the said permanent stop, so that the particular sheet positioned is always situated atthe same elevation.

- 13. An apparatus according to claim 1, havi positioning rolls, wherein a table is provided for the stack of copy paper, means for oscillating this table, and means for pressing this position-' ing table together with the stack of paper located thereon against the positioning rolls acting as upper stop, so that the particular sheetv positioned is always situated at the same elevation.

14. An apparatus according to claim 1, including a main driving means, means for driving the printing roller and the positioning device, and means for coupling the said driving means with the main drive.

15. An apparatus according to claim 1, in

which a main drive is furnished with a main driving shaft, including operating means for the printing roller and the positioning device, and means for coupling the said driving means with the main drive, including an operating wheel, a

pawl co-operating with the said operating wheeL.

a. curved leveroscillatory about the main drivin shaft,'and a second, adjustable lever for assisting the first lever, so that the said pawl is lifted out of the said operating wheel and the printing roller and the positioning device are stopped.

- mittently rotating said printing roller by said main drive, automatic means for feeding clear sheets from a stack against the bight of said rollers, said feeding means including a feeding roller, and means for intermittently driving said feeding roller by said main drive during the time "the said printing roller and said pressure roller are at rest.

17. In a duplicating apparatus printing onto clear sheets previously moistened with a rapidly volatilizing solvent the combination comprising a rotatable printing roller bearing a copyable mirror-script original, a pressure roller located at constant spaced relationship to said printing roller and exerting. a continuous pressure on the surface thereof, a moistening means dispensing said liquid located in front of and extending towards the bight of said rollers, automatic feeding means including a feeding roller for feeding clear sheets from a stack against the bight of said printing roller and pressure roller, a continuously running main drive, and coupling means for alternately coupling said printing roller and said feeding roller to said main drive to intermittently rotate said rollers.

18. In a duplicating apparatus printing onto clear sheets previously moistened with a rapidly volatilizing liquid the combination comprising a rotatable printing roller bearing a copyable mirror-script original, a pressure roller located at constant spaced relationship to said printing wards the bight of said rollers, a recessed feeding;

table adapted to hold a stack of clear sheets, a feeler member capable of entering said recess when all of the said clear sheets have been used.

up, automatic means for feeding said sheets in contact with the bight of said printing roller and pressure roller, a continuously running main.

drive, means for alternately coupling said printing roller and said automatic feeding means to said main drive to intermittently operate'same, and means for making said coupling means inoperative when the sheets on the feeding table have been exhausted and said feeler member enters said recess of the feeding table.

19. In a. duplicating apparatus printing onto clear sheets previously moistened with a rapidly volatilizing liquid, the combination comprising a rotatable printing roller bearing a copyable mirror-script original, a rotatable pressure roller in constant spaced relationship to said printing roller and exerting a continuous pressure on the surface thereof, automatic means including a feeding roller'for feeding clear sheets from a stack against the bight of said co-operating rollers, a continuously running main drive, means alternately coupling said printing roller and said feeding roller to said main drive for intermittently actuating one of said rollers at a time, a swingable moistening device dispensing said liquid including a moistening strip located in front of and extending towards the bight of said printing roller and pressure roller, and means for swinging said moistening device downwards and towards said bight during the feeding operation whereby the surface of the fed clear sheet is engaged by said moistening strip and said sheet is advanced into said bight.

. WlLHELM RITZERFELD. 

